Santa Marta Colombia
The Oldest City in Colombia
Santa Marta is one of the best cities to visit in Colombia, and with good reason. Thanks to its beautiful beaches on the Colombian Caribbean coast, the ‘Pearl of the Americas’ attracts thousands of tourists to its sunny shores every year. The coastal city is also home to fascinating history, spectacular wildlife, and diverse and beautiful landscapes. Surrounded by the breathtaking mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (the highest coastal range in the world), snow and ocean are only 10km apart! In this article, we will discuss when is the best time to visit Santa Marta to fully enjoy the stunning beaches and the picturesque historical city.TRAVEL PACKAGES TO SANTA MARTA COLOMBIA
When is the Best Time to Visit Santa Marta, Colombia?
What is the Weather Like in Santa Marta Colombia?
Thanks to the city’s warm tropical climate, the gorgeous beaches of Santa Marta can be enjoyed year-round. Santa Marta’s location in the Caribbean Sea means that it always feels warm, with an average temperature of 30°C (reaching highs of 35°C during the day and lows of 20°C at night).Although temperature might not be a consideration when booking your holiday to Santa Marta, along with the rest of Colombia, the city does experience a dry and rainy season.
Dry Season
The dry season in Santa Marta generally lasts from December to mid-April and from June to early September. These months are often considered the best time to travel to Santa Marta Colombia to enjoy the calmer waters with less chance of rainfall.
Rainy Season
May, July, and late September to November are generally the months with the most rainfall HOWEVER, this does not mean that you won’t enjoy your vacations. The chance of rain is actually very low all year round, and although it may rain a little more in these months, it is still infrequent, and storms tend to pass quickly. The sea does have higher tides during these months, so the waters tend to be a little less calm.
You might think that it’s a no-brainer to travel to Santa Marta in the dry season, but below we discuss some other important factors you’ll want to take into consideration…
Tayrona National Park, The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, & The Lost City
Before booking your trip to Santa Marta, Colombia, you should consider visiting the beautiful Tayrona National Park, the breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, & the amazing Lost City. Please bear in mind the following before visiting these spectacular natural havens….Tayrona National Park Colombia:
Tayrona National Natural Park is a protected paradise in the Caribbean Sea that is an absolute must for anyone visiting Colombia. Often featuring on the front of guidebooks, this magical paradise is home to lush jungle, white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and year-round sunshine. The weather in Tayrona Colombia is very similar to that of Santa Marta, however, due to its location, the park experiences occasional winds. The beautiful area is of utmost importance to the indigenous people of Santa Marta, which is why visitors are always asked to practice sustainable tourism.Does Tayrona Park Close?
The park is closed for a month each year to carry out an environmental and spiritual cleaning (an indigenous tradition). The park is normally closed from January to February, but this can sometimes last until March. If you want to visit this Colombian Caribbean paradise and would like to know when is the best time to travel to Santa Marta Colombia, please contact us so we can help organize your trip and choose the bests dates!Activities:
Diving; snorkeling; swimming; hiking; horseback riding; camping; picnics; and more! Swim and relax at Cabo San Juan beach in Colombia, often considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Please keep in mind that you cannot swim in the sea at all the beaches, including at Arrecifes (Reef Beach).
When Is the Best Time to Go to The Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta and The Lost City Colombia?
High in the mountains bordering Santa Marta, you’ll find the breathtaking Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world’s highest coastal mountain range and the home of local indigenous communities. In under 40km, the city turns into breathtaking nature including wetlands, mangroves, tropical rainforests, rivers, deserts, alpine tundra, and even snow-capped peaks. Amongst the spectacular nature of the Sierra Nevada, you’ll discover a paradise full of fascinating history, architectural beauty, and the ancestral spirit of Santa Marta’s indigenous communities: The Lost City. Originally built in around 800AD (some 650 years before Peru’s Machu Picchu), the ruins of the ancient Tayrona civilization are a hidden treasure, impossible to access by car. The diversity of fauna and flora, the opportunity to interact with indigenous communities, and the conditions of the trail, make it one of the best treks in all of South America. Like Tayrona, The Lost City trail is also closed for ecological and environmental cleaning every year. The home of indigenous communities is cared for like the treasure it is. The closing month is September.Activities:
Trek to the Lost City; tour the Lost City on horseback; birdwatch; explore the diverse flora and fauna; learn about the different ecosystems; discover the ancient ruins that have been preserved for years.
VIAJE A CIUDAD PERDIDA COLOMBIA
Other Considerations
Please keep in mind that December, January, February, July, and major holidays, are considered to be high season. Expect prices to be a little higher (hotels, flights, etc.) and for there to be more tourists.So… When is the Best Time to Travel to Santa Marta Colombia?
After reading our post, we hope you have a better idea of when to travel to Santa Marta. It really depends on the type of trip you would like to do and what are your priorities (Tayrona? The Lost City? Less rain? Cheaper rates?). Regardless of what month you decide to travel to Santa Marta, Colombia. Please see our article on what to do in Santa Marta
February and October are often considered to be the ideal months to travel to Santa Marta.
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